monitoring to make sure no parabolic devices were in use. But Ramsey doubted that would be a problem. This minion worked for a pro who understood that you had to give in order to receive.
'Talk to me,' he said.
'The senator spoke to the president this morning. He told him what he wanted. The president inquired as to our interest and the senator said he admired you.'
One aspect of Diane McCoy's solo performance was now confirmed. He stood, hands in his coat pockets, and listened for more.
'The president had some reservations. He said you're not a staff favorite. His White House people had other names in mind. But the senator knew what the president wanted.'
He was curious about that. 'Tell me.'
'There's about to be a vacancy on the Supreme Court. A resignation. The justice wants to give the current administration the pick. Daniels has a name in mind and wants us to shepherd it through Senate confirmation.'
Interesting.
'We chair the Judiciary Committee. The nominee is a good one, so no problem. We can make it happen.' The aide sounded proud to be part of the home team.
'Did the president have any serious problems with me?'
The aide allowed himself a grin, then a chuckle. 'What do you want? A friggin' engraved invitation? Presidents don't like to be told what to do, nor do they like to be asked favors. They like to be the one who asks. Daniels, though, seemed receptive to the whole thing. He doesn't think the Joint Chiefs is worth a crap anyway.'
'Lucky for us he only has less than three years left in office.'
'I don't know how lucky that makes us. Daniels is a proven dealer. He knows how to give and take. We've had no problems dealing with him, and he's popular as hell.'
'The devil you know as opposed to the one you don't?'
'Something like that.'
He needed to extract what he could from this source. He had to know who else, if anyone, was aiding Diane McCoy in her surprising crusade.
'We're interested in when you'll move on the governor of South Carolina,' the aide said.
'The day after I move into my new office at the Pentagon.'
'And what if you can't deliver the governor?'
'Then I'll just destroy your boss.' He allowed an almost sexual enjoyment to sweep into his eyes. 'We'll do this my way. Clear?'
'And what is your way?'
'First off, I want to know exactly what you're doing to make my appointment happen. Every detail, and not just what you want to tell me.
If my patience is tried, then I think I'll take your suggestion from last time, retire, and watch all of your careers dissolve to nothing.'
The aide held up his hands in mock surrender. 'Slow down, Admiral. I didn't come here to fight. I came to brief you.'
'Then brief me, you little piece of crap.'
The aide accepted the rebuke with a shrug. 'Daniels is on board. He says it'll be done. Kane can deliver the votes on the Judiciary Committee. Daniels knows that. Your announcement will come tomorrow.'
'Before Sylvian's funeral?'
The aide nodded. 'No need to wait.'
He agreed. But there was still Diane McCoy. 'Any objection lodged from the Office of the National Security Adviser?'
'Daniels didn't mention it. But why would he?'
'Don't you think we need to know if staffers plan to sabotage what we're doing?'
The aide threw him a wistful smile. 'That shouldn't be a problem. Once Daniels is on board, that's it. He can handle his people. What's the problem, Admiral? You got enemies over there?'
No. Merely a complication. But he was beginning to realize its limited extent. 'Tell the senator that I appreciate his efforts and to stay in touch.'
'Am I dismissed?'
His silence signaled yes.
The aide seemed glad the conversation was over and departed.
Ramsey walked over and sat on the same bench he'd warmed earlier. Hovey waited five minutes, then approached, sat beside him, and said, 'Area is clean. Nobody was listening.'
'We're fine with Kane. It's McCoy. She's doing this on her own.'
'Maybe she thinks getting you is her ticket to greater and better.'
Time to find out how bad his aide wanted greater and better. 'She may have to be eliminated. Just like Wilkerson.'
Hovey's silence was more explicit than words.
'Do we have much on her?' Ramsey asked the captain.
'Quite a bit, but she's relatively boring. Lives alone, no relationships, workaholic. Co-workers like her, but she's not one that everybody wants to sit next to at state dinners. She probably using this as a way to up her worth.'
Made sense.
Hovey's cell phone rang, dulled through his wool coat. The call was short and ended quickly. 'More problems.'
He waited.
'Diane McCoy just tried to access the warehouse at Fort Lee.'
MALONE ENTERED THE CHURCH, HENN AND CHRISTL AHEAD of him. Isabel had descended from the choir and stood with Dorothea and Werner.
He decided to stop the charade and came up behind Henn, jamming the gun into the man's neck and relieving him of his weapon.
He then stepped back and aimed the barrel at Isabel. 'Tell your butler to stay cool.'
'And what would you do, Herr Malone, if I refused? Shoot me?'
He lowered the gun. 'No need. This was all a dog-and-pony show. Those four had to die. Though clearly none of them realized it. You didn't want me talking to them.'
'What makes you so sure?' Isabel asked.
'I pay attention.'
'All right. I knew they would be here, and they did think us allies.' 'Then they're bigger fools than I am.'
'Maybe not them, but certainly the man who sent them. Can we dispense with the theatrics-on both our parts- and talk?'
'I'm listening.'
'I know who's trying to kill you,' Isabel said. 'But I need your help.'
He caught the first rumors of nighttime outside the bare window frames from air turning colder by the second.
He also caught the drift of her words. 'One for the other?'
'I apologize for the deception, but it seemed the only way to attract your cooperation.'
'You should have just asked.'
'I tried that at Reichshoffen. I thought this might work better.'
'Which could have gotten me killed.'
'Come now, Herr Malone, I have much more confidence in your abilities than you seem to.'
He'd had enough. 'I'm going back to the hotel.'
He started to leave.
'I know where Dietz was headed,' Isabel said. 'Where your father was taking him in Antarctica.'
Screw her.
'Somewhere in this church is what Dietz was missing. What he went there to find.'
His vehemence subsided into hunger. 'I'm going to eat dinner.' He kept walking. 'I'm willing to listen while I
